In our thirtieth anniversary year, dCS is looking back at its legacy, celebrating our tradition of unrivalled excellence, and pointing to the future by developing a limited edition Vivaldi One digital playback system.
Pushing the boundaries of what is possible with digital replay Vivaldi One is a single box CD/SACD and Network Player that supports music from any digital source via USB, AES, S/PDIF inputs in addition to streaming audio via its network input. An integral CD/SACD mechanism is used for CD/SACD playback.
At the core of Vivaldi One is the dCS digital processing platform, a high performance network streaming section and the latest generation dCS Ring DAC™.
The dCS Ring DAC™ is a unique digital converter that combines exceptional linearity with high speed operation enabling it to deliver true 24-bit performance even at low signal levels. The latest generation Ring DAC™ incorporates a number of advances that have resulted in enhanced dynamic range, reduced jitter, improved channel separation and greatly improved musical realism.
The digital processing platform in Vivaldi One is based around Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and a microcontroller system. Using the same platform as our flagship Vivaldi series, Vivaldi One is current state-of-the-art, delivering unmatched sonic and measured performance.
The multi-stage Phase-Locked-Loop (PLL) system sets world-beating standards for accuracy and control of jitter from the incoming audio stream. Vivaldi One also supports the dCS auto clocking architecture which is simple to set up, minimises jitter and improves sound quality.
For CD/SACD playback Vivaldi One uses the TEAC Esoteric VRDS Neo™ mechanism which employs super-rigid construction and a brushless motor with heavy flywheel for stable disc rotation. CD data can be upsampled to DXD or DSD 64/128, extracting revelatory detail from both CD and SACD.
Vivaldi One’s network capability and control app lets listeners manage their playback from any source in an elegantly simple way. It features built-in Roon Ready, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Airplay and Spotify Connect functionality. Streaming audio is unparalleled in terms of processing power and jitter performance, and currently runs at up to 24-bit, 384kS/s and DSD128, supporting all major lossless codecs (including MQA), plus DSD in DoP format and native DSD.
Designed and made in Great Britain with superlative, cost-no-object quality and finish. Vivaldi One’s elegant chassis uses aerospace-grade machined aluminium with internal acoustic damping panels to reduce sound-degrading mechanical vibration and magnetic effects.
Vivaldi One firmware is easily updated via CD, USB or online. This lets dCS add new features and improve system performance over its lifetime.
When listening to music through a Vivaldi One, listeners are immediately struck by its natural musicality and faithfulness to the original recording. It delivers a powerful and visceral sound yet is highly transparent, making for a musical experience of breath-taking clarity and emotional intensity.
Upsampling CD / SACD / Network Player
Silver or Black anodised as standard. Custom paint finishes and precious metal plated finishes available.
444mm (17.5”) wide x 420mm (16.6”) deep x 220mm (8.7”) high. Allow extra depth for cable connectors
27.4kg (60.4lbs). (anodised silver)
dCS proprietary Ring DAC TM topology.
Network interface on RJ45 Gigabit connector – UPnPTM renderer in Asynchronous mode, streaming music from a UPnP server over a standard network, decoding all major lossless formats including FLAC, WAV & AIFF at up to 24 bit 384kS/s native sample rate, plus DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DFF/DSF format. Other supported formats include MQA, WMA, ALAC, MP3, AAC & OGG. Some formats are limited to lower sample rates. Accepts data streamed via Apple AirPlay at 44.1 or 48kS/s only. Network Loop Out connector on a second RJ45 connector. USB 2.0 interface on a B-type connector operating in Asynchronous mode, will accept up to 24 bit PCM at up to 384kS/s plus DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format. Operates in Class 1 or 2 mode. USB-on-go interface on type A connector operating in Asynchronous mode, accepts audio at up to 24 bit 384kS/s plus DSD/64 & DSD/128. 2x AES/EBU on 3-pin female XLR connectors. Each accepts PCM at up to 24 bit 192kS/s or DSD/64 in DoP format. Used as Dual AES pair, will accept PCM at up to 384kS/s, DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format or dCS-encrypted DSD. 3x SPDIF on 2x RCA Phono and 1x BNC connectors. Each accepts PCM at up to 24 bit 192kS/s or DSD/64 in DoP format. 1x SPDIF optical on a Toslink connector accepts PCM at up to 24 bit 96kS/s.
TEAC Esoteric VMK3 VRDS Neo.
Output levels: 0.2, 0.6, 2 or 6V rms for full-scale input. Balanced outputs: 1 stereo pair on 2x 3-pin XLR male connectors (pin 2 = hot, pin 3 = cold). These outputs are electronically balanced and floating. Output impedance is 3Ω, maximum load is 600Ω (10k – 100kΩ is recommended). Unbalanced outputs: 1 stereo pair on 2x RCA phono connectors. Output impedance is 52Ω, maximum load is 600Ω (10k – 100kΩ is recommended).
2x Wordclock Inputs on 2x BNC connectors, accept standard wordclock at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kHz. Data rate can be same as clock rate or exact multiple of clock rate. Sensitive to TTL levels. Wordclock Output on 1x BNC connector. In Master mode, a TTL-compatible wordclock appears on this output.
16-bit data: Better than –96dB0, 20Hz - 20kHz unweighted. 24-bit data: Better than –113dB0, 20Hz - 20kHz unweighted. (6V output setting)
Better than –115dB0, 20Hz - 20kHz.
Better than –115dB0, 20Hz - 20kHz.
PCM mode: up to 6 filters give different trade-offs between the Nyquist image rejection and the phase response. DSD mode: 4 filters progressively reduce the out-of-audio band noise level, a 5th filter offers a minimum-phase roll-off.
User-selectable upsampling to DXD, DSD/128 or DSD/64.
Download available via Mosaic App.
dCS Mosaic App for Unit Configuration and Playback. RS232 interface (via 3rd party automation system). dCS Universal IR remote control is included.
Factory set to 100, 115/120, 220 or 230/240V AC, 50 / 60Hz.
40 Watts typical / 60 Watts maximum
Review by Marc Mickelson
“. . . the most versatile digital system I’ve used and also — by far — the most sonically complete.“
HiFi+ , November 2016
Review by Chris Thomas
DownloadPocas marcas han sabido hilar tan fino a la hora de dotar de “alma” al audio digital doméstico
como la británica dCS. ¿El motivo? Un dominio de la tecnología “pro” más avanzada cuya expresión
más reciente la encontramos en el modelo Rossini, presentado en sociedad en el icónico loft de la
barcelonesa Werner.
Por Salvador Dangla
AV Premium
DownloadHiFiLive Magazine (available in Spanish and English)
Review by Miguel Castro
Stereophile, January 2014
Review by Michael Fremer
DownloadHiFi Plus Issue 104 & 105, November 2013
Review by Chris Thomas
DownloadThe Absolute Sound Issue 233, May 2013
Review by Robert Harley
DownloadHiFi News Vol85 No.02, February 2013
Review by Paul Miller
DownloadSoftware v1.1x / Network 501, compatible with Mosaic Control.
DownloadControl app for Vivaldi Upsampler v1.20 with Network firmware v63.
DownloadLast updated 11 Feb 2016.
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